On The Town: ‘The Impossible Dream’ of 100 years

On more than one occasion, the survival of the Pasadena Playhouse has seemed an impossible dream.

Over the years, we’ve watched this landmark theater narrowly escape a deluge of trials — the threat of the wrecking ball, earthquake, bankruptcy, and closure — not to mention some cranky critics along the way. But, God bless her, the old girl, now nearly 100 years old, is still with us.

That’s why there were some moist eyes in the audience when veteran entertainer Ben Vereen leapt to the stage at ‘Take the Lead,” the annual Playhouse benefit on May 4, to belt out an impromptu “Impossible Dream,” the anthem from “Man of La Mancha.”

Vereen, who appeared at the Playhouse in last December’s panto, “Aladdin,” said, “It is up to us to keep this theater open because this is where children can dream their dreams, where the arts are gracing their lives, and they can come and say, ‘I want to do that.’”

For their ongoing efforts to preserve that dream and engage young people in the lively arts — especially dance — the Lythgoe family was honored at the event held on the Playhouse stage, which raised $380,000.

On hand for the plaudits were the family patriarch Nigel Lythgoe, impresario of the iconic shows “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” who will be co-producing next January’s “Two for the Seesaw” at the Playhouse; Bonnie Lythgoe, matriarch of the clan and director of the annual ”Panto at the Playhouse,” and their sons Simon and Kris. Simon is a television producer and Kris and his wife Becky co-produce the popular panto that is now a regular feature of the holiday season.